The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) has linked inadequate political will by state and local governments to the major obstacle to effective adult education delivery.
Dr John Edeh, Director of Literacy and Development, NMEC, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
Edeh, who oversees the affairs of the commission, said adult and non-formal education is in the concurrent list of responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments.
The Director, however, lamented that the implementation of the model of education at the sub-national levels had been weak.
According to him, Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution mandates provision of adult education at all levels, while local governments are specifically assigned responsibility for its implementation.
“Don’t forget that education itself is under concurrent list. At the federal level, what we are supposed to do is to provide a conducive environment and oversee the implementation of this sector across the state. Unfortunately, the political will to this sector has not been encouraging, particularly from the states,” he said.
He explained that the Federal Government had stepped in, to bridge the gaps by providing resources for learning materials, facilitators’ training and operational support for literacy centres nationwide.
Edeh noted that, in spite of the challenges, the commission was expanding programmes to ensure marginalised groups, artisans, women and persons with disabilities gained access to education.
“If you look at the first schedule of the 1999 constitutions, under local government, it placed adult and non-formal education under the purview of the local government. Unfortunately, much has not been done in that aspect with respect to the local government and what have you.
“At the federal level, the present government, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa and the Minister of State, have taken some strategic measures to address some of these challenges,” he said.
Edeh stressed that improved collaboration among the three tiers of government remained critical to eradicating illiteracy in the country.
(NAN)
